Page 17 of Hunted

"Well?" His breath ghosts over my lips, making me shudder. "What shall it be, little bird?"

10

AKSEL

Istare at Zara, my arms wrapped tightly around her. Her eyes are wide with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "What do you mean?"

Everything about her should make me despise her. She talks too fucking much, and she's always so annoyingly happy, even in this godforsaken wilderness.

“Aksel?" Her delicate fingers graze my cheek, snapping me back to reality. “Are you okay?"

I don't answer, lost in the depths of her green eyes. Despite her incessant cheerfulness, something about her draws me in. Perhaps it's the contrast—her light to my darkness, her innocence to my depravity. They do say opposites attract.

“Aksel?" she prompts again, her brow furrowed with concern.

I've never considered sharing my life with anyone. The mere thought of letting someone in, of exposing my true self, has always filled me with revulsion. And yet, as I gaze upon this little bird's angelic face, I find myself yearning to do that. To share every twisted desire, every dark craving, with the one person who might understand. Who might accept me for the monster I am.

Tearing my gaze away from her captivating eyes, the spell is momentarily broken. I clear my throat. “I’m fine.” The lie rolls off my tongue with practiced ease, and I release her from my hold.

Zara's brow is still creased with concern. "You seemed distant for a moment there." She chews her plump lower lip, and I can't help but imagine how those soft lips would feel pressed against mine.

Shaking my head to dispel the intrusive thought, I smile reassuringly. "Just got lost in thought, that's all." My fingers itch to reach out and smooth the worry lines from her forehead to trace the delicate curve of her jaw. But I resist the urge, clenching my fists at my sides.

"If you're sure..." Zara's gaze lingers on me for a heartbeat longer before she turns away, busying herself with her equipment.

I watch her movements, mesmerized by the gentle sway of her hips and how the sunlight catches in her golden hair. Every fiber of my being screams at me to close the distance, to pull her lithe body flush against mine and claim her out here in the open.

But I need to maintain control. Because once I've tasted the forbidden fruit, I know there’ll be no turning back. She’ll consume me, body and soul until nothing remains but the insatiable hunger for her.

So, for now, I’m content with drinking in the sight of her, committing every curve to memory. Zara doesn’t realize it yet, but she’s already mine—a delicate butterfly caught in the spider's web, destined to be slowly, exquisitely devoured.

After tinkering for about half an hour, she smiles sweetly at me. "We're ready to move higher up the mountain for more readings."

She packs her equipment back in her pack and shoulders it.

I grind my teeth. "That looks heavy. Do you want me to carry it for the next leg?" After all, I'm stronger than her, and it’ll be easy.

Her smile practically kills me. "That's so kind of you. It would help. My back is killing me. I'm not used to hiking."

Grunting in response to mask my eagerness to assist her, I slide the pack from her shoulders and sling it over my own with deft movements. The weight is nothing, but I relish the way her eyes widen slightly at the flex of my biceps.

"Thanks, Aksel," she breathes, flushing. "I really appreciate it."

A grin tugs at the corners of my mouth. "Don't mention it, littlefugl."

Turning on my heel, I lead the way up the narrow trail, maintaining a leisurely pace that allows Zara to keep up. I glance over my shoulder every so often, savoring how her chest heaves with exertion, the sheen of perspiration that glistens on her skin.

After a particularly steep incline, she pauses to catch her breath, one hand braced against the trunk of a towering pine. "Mind if we take a break?" she pants, swiping a loose tendril of hair from her flushed face.

"Of course not." I lean casually against a tree a short distance away, allowing my gaze to roam shamelessly over every shapely curve of her body. "We're in no hurry."

Zara shoots me a sidelong glance. She knows the effect she has on me—how could she not when I make no effort to conceal my desire? And yet, rather than shrinking away, she holds my stare, her plump lower lip caught between her teeth.

This little bird may flutter and trill, but she knows her place deep down. She knows that she belongs to me, body and soul.

Pushing off from the tree, I eat up the distance between us. Zara's breath hitches as I loom over her, caging her against the rough bark with my arms braced on either side of her head.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" I murmur. Without waiting for a response, I dip my head to whisper into her ear. "The things I want to do to you?"

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